A theoretical approach to the propagation of interacting cracks

We propose a scheme to compute interaction effects between two randomly oriented cracks under compressive stresses and we discuss the role crack interactions play in the crack coalescence process. Stress intensity factors are computed by using an iterative technique based on the method of successive approximations. Once crack propagation occurs, curved wing cracks grow from the initial crack tips. The stress intensity factors at the wing crack tips are calculated as the sum of two terms: a component for a single wing crack subjected to both the applied stresses and the interaction effect, and a component due to the sliding of the initial crack. We have applied our procedure to various crack geometries. Our results show that interaction effects act on the crack propagation path. For cracks under tension, our approach correctly predicts the curving, hook-shaped paths of interacting cracks that have been observed in various materials. For en echelon compressive cracks, interaction effects depend on the geometry of stepping. For right-stepping cracks, no mode I crack coalescence occurs. A mixed-mode propagation criterion may be introduced to check whether coalescing secondary shear fractures initiate, For left-stepping cracks, depending on whether or not there is overlapping, crack coalescence is achieved by tension wing cracks at the inner crack tips. Without overlapping, the growing wing cracks delimit a region where a tensile secondary fracture may develop and lead to coalescence. These results are consistent with previous work and show that our procedure may be now extended to a population of cracks.